MAYOR ACCUSED OVER GROOMING GANGS 'COVER-UP' IN CAPITAL
Daily Express
|October 20, 2025
Whistleblowers say Sadiq Khan has serious questions to answer
SADIQ Khan has been accused of covering up evidence of grooming gangs in London, after an Express investigation.
The city mayor read reports of young girls being raped in hotels by groups of men, while publicly denying there were any grooming gangs in the capital.
The children were also plied with drugs and had their lives threatened, evidence uncovered by the Express and MyLondon shows.
Ex-police whistleblower Maggie Oliver said the cases followed "the same pattern" that she saw with her Greater Manchester force's cover-up of the Rochdale scandal.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp accused Mr Khan of being part of a "cover-up" and called for accountability. He said: "It is shameful that the Mayor of London is claiming to have no indication that grooming gangs are operating in London despite personally responding to reports containing evidence of victims abused by grooming gangs in the city." He added: "It is clear Sadiq Khan is facilitating a cover-up." Reform UK MP Lee Anderson claimed the mayor had "serious questions to answer", adding: "There is real, credible evidence that grooming gangs exist in London, and for the mayor to have potentially turned a blind eye is utterly shameful." He added that the UK could not "go on making the same catastrophic errors we saw in Rochdale, Rotherham and all over the country" and demanded that victims receive "proper justice".
The mayor and the Met consistently claimed to have "no reports" of Rochdale or Rotherham-style rape gangs in London, with Mr Khan suggesting there was "no indication" they exist.
However in four reports by His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services from 2016-2025, which the Mayor of London personally responded to, we found details of six potential victims.
This story is from the October 20, 2025 edition of Daily Express.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM Daily Express
Daily Express
IN-FORM ISAAC A WANTED MAN
CHELTENHAM boss Steve Cotterill will not be picking up the phone to BRISTOL ROVERS counterpart Steve Evans in the tug-of-war over Isaac Hutchinson.
1 min
January 03, 2026
Daily Express
THREE BIG CLASHES
Leeds 3 Manchester United 4 - March 30, 2002
1 mins
January 03, 2026
Daily Express
ITOJE BOOST FOR BORTHWICK
ENGLAND captain Maro Itoje returns to action tomorrow after over a month off in a huge boost for head coach Steve Borthwick.
1 min
January 03, 2026
Daily Express
It's Crystal clear that Johnson cannot wait to start life at Palace
BRENNAN JOHNSON declared he is “super excited” to become Crystal Palace's record £35million transfer - and is set to make his Eagles debut at Newcastle tomorrow.
1 min
January 03, 2026
Daily Express
'ANOTHER LEVEL TO MOSCOW DUEL'
LEEDS defender Jaka Bijol has played in some fierce Moscow derbies but admitted that is unlikely to have provided him with the right experience for the visit of Manchester United to Elland Road tomorrow.
1 min
January 03, 2026
Daily Express
Are new orders signs of a manufacturing recovery?
MANUFACTURING edged closer to recovery at the end of 2025 thanks to an influx of new orders.
1 mins
January 03, 2026
Daily Express
SHIRT SHARP SHOCK
Blades get a timely reminder
2 mins
January 03, 2026
Daily Express
Fluids colour test to boost care
A SIMPLE tool that makes it easier for people to describe the colour of bodily fluids could have a “huge impact” on patient care.
1 min
January 03, 2026
Daily Express
HERE WE FOE
Simms wants derby victory to help kick-start Sky Blues' title push
2 mins
January 03, 2026
Daily Express
Sunshine, scenery & sleuths
As Grantchester returns, Robson Green talks about on-set laughs - and the weather!
4 mins
January 03, 2026
Listen
Translate
Change font size
